Managing stress is one of the major topics of a healthy lifestyle.
How people perceive stress affects their health and well-being. Recent research, including studies by Kelly Mc Gonigal, suggests that the way individuals interpret stress may be more important than the stress itself in determining health outcomes.
Stress can greatly affect our character strengths, either testing them or, in some cases, helping to develop and enhance them. Utilizing our character strengths can help protect us from the negative effects of stress.
What are character strengths?
Character strengths are positive qualities that enhance our well-being and help us face life's challenges. The VIA (Values in Action) Signature Strengths Test (Peterson, 2006) was developed to create a universal system for categorizing virtues and strengths, as a counterpart to the DSM-5 classification for mental disorders.
There are 24 character strengths distinguished, classified under six virtues.
Wisdom (5)
Five strengths for developing and use of knowledge:
- Creativity 2. Curiosity 3. Judgement 4. Love of learning 5. Perspective
Courage (4)
Four strengths that ensure that the goal is achieved despite setbacks:
- Bravery 2. Perseverance 3.Honesty 4. Zest.
Humanity (3)
Three strengths that make for loving relationships:
- Love 2. Kindness 3. Social Intelligence
Justice (3)
Three strengths that build a healthy society:
- Teamwork 2. Fairness 3. Leadership
Temperance (4)
Four strengths that protect against excesses:
- Forgiveness 2. Humility 3. Prudence 4. Self-Regulation
Transcendence (5)
Five strengths that connect to something bigger than yourself and create meaning:
- Appreciation of beauty & excellence 2. Gratitude; 3. Hope 4. Humor 5. Spirituality
Signature strengths are the ones that are giving us energy, that we use naturally in all different kind of situations, and that help us to function at our best while staying authentic.
How to start with the VIA character strengths?
- If not done earlier yet, take the free online VIA character strengths survey VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports
- Write down your TOP 5 (signature) strengths with an example how you use this strength during a stressful situation
- Share about how you use your signature strengths with others
Some examples of practical experience:
Lena uses her top character strength, "Humor," when she feels stressed about giving a presentation to a challenging audience. As a result, she begins to enjoy the experience more, feeling less stressed, and the presentation becomes a joyful experience. |
Nurse Anna uses her character strength of "Kindness" to manage a difficult patient who refuses to have a blood sample taken. |
Tom draws on his strength of "Courage" for all his medical appointments over the past few months during chemotherapy, which enables him to make new plans for the future. |
We are curious to know how you use your character strengths during stressful events. We would be grateful if you want share about your experiences.
Sources:
Peterson, C. (2006). The Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths. In M. Csikszentmihalyi & I. S. Csikszentmihalyi (Eds.), A life worth living: Contributions to positive psychology (pp. 29–48). Oxford University Press.
McGonigal, K. (2016). The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It. New York: Penguin Random House.